Straight Face, Forked Tongue

October 29, 1985|By Blue

It's hard to keep a straight face when lawmakers spout about how hard they're trying to cut the deficit. Their true timidity was demonstrated again a few days ago when the Senate flinched at the chance to cut the $4.5 billion revenue-sharing program for local governments by $570 million. This is a program that no longer can be afforded. But only 37 senators could be rounded up to vote for the cut.

The full Senate -- under strong pressure from mayors across the country -- agreed to cut only half that amount. That was just one more piece of proof about how easy it is to be for austerity tomorrow.

As the White House and Congress keep showing, acting responsibly right now is a lot harder.